Automatic control mechanism



Aug. 9, 1932. J, 5 L870 9 AUTOMATI G CONTROL MEGHAN I SM Filed Aug. 10, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l w I i i INVENTOR BY ray ATTORN EYJ Aug 9, 1932. J. KANTOR AUTOMATIC CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Aug. 10, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR J. [K anfor BY ATTQRNEYJ' Patented Aug. 9, 1932 UNITED STATES r N OFFIC JAMES KANTOR, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, .ASSIGNOR TO THE LIQUID CABBONIC COR- PORATION, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS I AU'IOMATIC CONTROL MECHANISM Application filed August 10, 1928. Serial No. 298,852.

My invention relates to improvements in automatic control mechanisms, and it consists in the combinations, constructions, and arrangements herein described and claimed.

- An object of my invention is to provide an,

automatic control mechanism which is adapted to closely regulate and maintain a constant counter-pressure in the filler tank under all conditions.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the type described which has novel means for holding open at all times the counter-pressure outlet check valve.

A further object of my invention is to pro- 15 vide a device of the type described which has relatively large passageways whereby a sufiicicnt amount of gas may be passedinto'the filler tank to prevent the floodingof the filler tank in case a bottle should be broken and 20 allow the rapid escapement of gas.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the type described which has adjustable means for varying the speed of the flow of water into the filler tank.-

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, and the novel features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accom- 30 panying drawings, forming part of this application, in which Figure 1 is a vertical sectional View of my device,

Figure 2 is a sectional view of a filler tank 35 embodying my invention, and

Figure 3 is a section along the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

In carrying out my invention, I make use of a bottle filling machine 1 having a-filler 4 tank 2. Water supply pipes 3 extend from the filler tank 2 for filling bottles, not shown, with water. Gas supply pipes 4 extend from the filler tank 2 for supplying the bottles, not shown, with gas. A main water supply pipe '5 communicates with the filler tank. Waterunder a predetermined pressure is forced through the supply pipe 5 and into the filler tank 2. p

A housing 6 is mounted upon the filler tank 2 and is in communication therewith. The

housing 6 is provided with a base portion 7 7 upon which is disposed a central body portion 8. A cover portion 9 is disposed upon the body portion 8. A relatively large diaphragm 10 is disposed between the base portion 7 and the body portion 8 and is held in place byany suitable means, not shown. A relatively small diaphragm 11 is disposed between the body portion 8 and the cover 9 and is held in place by a machine screw 12,

A yoke 13 is provided with a reduced portion 14 which extends through the central portion of the diaphragm l1.' A disc member 15 is disposed adjacent the diaphragm 11 and is firmly held in place by means of a lock nut 16 which is disposed upon the reduced portion 14. A guide pin 17 extends through the cover 9 and has one end secured to the reduced portion 14. Openings 18 are provided in the cover 9. The yoke 13 is also provided with a reduced portion '19 which extends through the diaphragm 10. A disc member 20 is disposed adjacent the diaphragm 10 concentric with the reduced portion19and is firmly held in place by means of a lock nut 21 which is secured to the reduced abutment 22 is integral with the a purpose hereinafter described.

A pressure inlet member or nipple 23 extends into the body portion 8 and firmly secured in place by any suitable means not shown. An inlet passageway 24 is provided in the member 23. A municates with the passageway 24 at oneend and with the gas chamber 26 of a carbonator. A check valve 27 is slidably carried by the member 23. A gas compartment .28 is provided between the diaphragms 10 and 11 and communicates with the passageway 24 when the valve 27 is open. The valve 27 rests upon the abutment 22 and is normally held open.

The passageway 29 eXtends through the yoke 13 for tween the compartment 28 and outlet passageways 30, 31, 32, and 33. In this manner communication is provided between the compartment 28 and the filler tank 2.

gas supply pipe 'com- 7 portion 19. An inwardly extending member 23 for providing communication be- A chamber 34 is provided beneath the dia 7 phragm 10. A needle blow-01f valve 35 is carried by the base portion 7 and is in communication with the chamber 34. A passageway 36 provides communication between the chamber 34 and the passageway 33. A float valve 37 is disposed in the passageway 33 and is arranged to close the passageway 36 for shutting oil the communication between the passageway 33 and the chamber 34.

The valve 37 is provided with a casing 38 which has-an annularflange 39 and an internally threaded portion 40. A valve cushion 41 is held between the annular flange 39 and a retaining nut 42. A float rod43 is provided with a head portion 44 which is disposed in the valve casing 38 and is adapted to engage with the retaining nut 42. A locking sleeve 45 is disposed concentric with the float rod 43 and is receivable in the internally threaded portion 40 of thejvalve casing 38. A guide or stop member 46 is disposed concentric with the float rod 43. A guide bracket 47 is carried by the filling machine 1, is disposed in the filler tank 2,'and is adapted to movably receive the lower end of the float rod 43.

A cylindrical hollow fioat 48 is provided with an oaen end 49 and a convexed closed.

end 50. retaining flange 51 is secured to the closed end 50 and is disposed concentric withthe float rod 43. A set screw 52 is carried by the flange 51 for securing the'float 48 to the float rod 43 at any desired position.

From the foregoing description of the va-.

rious parts of the device, the operation thereof may be readily understood. As stated.

" i heretofore, water'is supplied to the filler tank 2 through the supply pipe 5 under a predetermined pressure. Gas is supplied to the compartment 28 from the carbonator 26 through the passageway 24 and around the -"'valve 27. The gas also fills the passageways 29," 30, 31, 32, and 33. The gas is also allowed to enter the filler tank 2 above the level of the liquid therein. 7

g Let us assumethat thefiller tank 2 is filled to the desired height with water. When the desired amount of water hascntered the filler tank 2, the float 48 will have been raised upwardly, thus moving thevalve 37 into en-- gag'ement'with its seat and closing the passageway 36. As the water is drawn iron] the. filler tank 2 through the pipes 3, as when filling bottles, the level of the liquidin the filler tank will gradually move downwardly. 55 It will be understood that that portion of the filler tank above the liquid contains gas under pressure equal to the pressure of the gasin the carbonator and the various passageways leading from the carbonator to the 6G filler tank. After the float 48 has moved downwardly a slight distance, the valve 37 will be opened, allowing communication between the passageway 33 and the chamber 34. In this manner the gas from the filler 3 tank 2 maypass through the passageway 33,

the passageway 41, the chamber 34, and through the valve 35 into the atmosphere.

As the gas passes through the passageway 36 and into the chamber 34, pressure will be equalized upon each side of the diaphragm 10. However, due to the fact that the pressure upon-the lower side of the diaphragm 11 is greater than that upon the upper side, the diaphragm 11 will'be forced upwardly, thus moving the valve 27 into closed position andshutting off the passage of gas from the carbonator. In this manner the gas is allowed to escape from the filler tank 2 until there is a sufficient difference between the pressure ot the gas in'the filler tank and the pressure of the water so as to allow the water to flow into the filler tank and seek the desired level. As the level of the liquid or water within the filler tank again rises to its normal position,the valve 37 is again raised to its closed position, shutting ofi' the communication between the passageway 33 and the chamber 34. The gas in the chamber 34 is allowed to pass out into the atmosphere through the valve 35 and, in so doing, the pressure upon the diaphragm 10 is unbalanced. As the diaphragm 10 is larger in area than the diaphragm 11, the pressure of the gas within the compartment 28 will force the diaphragm 1O downwardly, allowing the valve 27 to again open. The gas from the carbonator is then allowed to pass into the compartment 28 and through the various passageways to and into the filler tank 2.

Thebuilding up of the pressure of the gas by varying'the position of the float 48 upon the float rod 43. Furthermore, the speedof the flow of the liquid into the ii ler tank may be varied by the adjustmentof the blow-oil valve 35 i. e., the slower the gas is allowed to pass out of the chamber 34, the slower will the water be allowed to pass into the filler tank 2.

This mechanism not only maintains a constant counter-pressure of a fixed balance while the bottles are being filled, but it also maintains a constant counter-pressure in case a sudden'unbalance of the pressures should take place, which would occur if one or more of the bottles should break during the filling operation' I claim: 1

1. A device of the type described co mpris-- ing -a -casing. a relatively large diaphragm disposed in said casing, a relatively small diaphragm disposed in said casing, a gas compartment provided between said dlaphragms.

means for supplying gas under pressure to said compartment, a valve adapted to shut off the passage of the gas into said compartment, means carried by said diaphragms for actuating said valve, the pressure of the gas in said compartment being adapted to move said relatively large diaphragmfor normally holding said valve, open, and means for equalizing the pressure upon each side of said relatively large diaphragm, whereby the pressure upon said relatively small diaphragm may actuate said valve.

2. A device of the type described comprising a casing, a relatively large diaphragm disposed in saidcasing, a relatively small diaphragmidisposed in said casing, a gas compartment provided between said diaphragms, means forsupplyinggasunder pressure to said compartment, a valve adapted toshut off the passage of the gas into said compartment,

means carried by said diaphragms for actuating said valve, the pressure of the gasin said compartment being adapted to move said relatively large diaphragm for normally holding said valveopen, means for equalizing the pressure upon each side of said relatively large diaphragm, whereby the pressure upon said relatively small diaphragm may actuate said valve, said last-named means comprising a float valve, and means for opening said float valve, whereby gas from said compartment may pass into contact with said relatively large diaphragm.

3. A device of the type described comprising a casing, means for supplying gas under pressure to said casing, agas valve for shutting ofl the supply of gas to said casing, a relatively large diaphragm disposed in said casing, a relatively small diaphragm disposed in said casing, the gas pressure in said casing being adapted to actuate said diaphragm for normally holding said valve open, a float valve, a float rod carried by said float valve, and a cylindrical float adj ustably secured to said float rod and arranged to actuate said float rod for opening said float valve, whereby the gas in said casing may pass through said float valve and into engagement with the opposite side of said relatively large diaphragm.

4. A device of the type described comprising a casing, means for supplying gas under pressure to said casing, a gas valve for shutting off the supply of gas to said casing, a relatively large diaphragm disposed in said casing, the gas pressure in said casing being adapted to actuate said diaphragm for normally holding said valve open, a float valve, a float rod carried by said float valve, a cylindrical float adjustably secured to said float rod and arranged to actuate said float rod for opening said float valve, whereby the gas in said casing may pass through said float valve and into engagement with the opposite side of said relatively large diaphragm, the gas passing through said float valve equalizing the pressure upon said side of said relatively large diaphragm, and a relatively small diaphragm arranged to close said gas valve when the pressure is equalized upon each side of said relatively large diaphragm.

5. A device of the type described, comprismally holding said valve open, a float valve,

a float rod carried by said float valve, a cylindrical-float adjustably secured to said float rod and arranged to actuate said float rod for opening sald float valve, whereby the gas in said casing may pass through sald float valve and into engagement with the opposite side of saidrelatively large diaphragm, the gas passing through said float valve equalizing the pressure upon said side of said relatively large diaphragm, a relatively small diaphragm arranged to close said gas valve when the pressure is equalized upon each side of said relatively large diaphragm, said float and said float rod being adapted to close said float valve, and means whereby the gas upon one side of said relatively large diaphragm may escape, the escapement of gas upon one side of said relatively large diaphragm unbalancing the pressure upon said relatively large diaphragm whereby the latter may be actuated for opening said gas valve. 6. A device of the type described comprising a casing having a compartment therein, a pressure inlet member carried by said casing and disposed in said compartment, said inlet member having a valve arranged to close a passageway provided in said pressure inlet member, means whereby a gas supply may communicate with the passageway in said pressure member, whereby gas under pressure may pass into said compartment when said valve isopen, a relatively large diaphragm disposed at one endof said compartment, a relatively small diaphragm disposed at the other end of said compartment, and means for connecting saidv diaphragms together.

7. A device of the type described comprising a casing having a. compartment therein, a pressure inlet member carried by said casing and disposed in said compartment, said inlet member having a valve arranged to close a passageway provided in said pressure inlet member, means whereby a gas supply may communicate with the passageway in said pressure member, whereby gas under pressure may pass into said compartment when said valve is open, a relatively large diaphragm disposed at one end of said compart' ment, a relatively small diaphragm disposed at the other end of said compartment, means for connecting said diaphragms together, and means carried by said last named means the combination'with a valve, of fluid pressure operated means for opening said valve,

controllable means for admitting counter-j balancn flurd )I'GSSIII'G a 'alnst said re'ssure operated means to render the same ineffective and-a second fluid pressure operated means for closing said valve'when the first mentioned pressure operated means becomes ineffective.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination with a valve, of fluid sure operated means for opening said valve,

means for admitting counter-balancing fluid pressure against said pressure operated means to render the same inefiective, a second pressure operated means for closing said valve when said first mentioned pressure operated means becomes inellective means for permitting said counter-balanced pressure to become reduced to permit the opening of said valve.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination with a filler tank having water supplied thereto under a predetermined pressure, of a valve for controlling the admission of gas to said tank to counterbalance the water pressure, pressure operated means for opening said valve, means operated by the varying of the liquid level in said tank for balancing said pressure on said pressure operated means to render the same ineffective and a. second pressure operated means for closing said valve when the valve opening means is rendered ineffective.

11. In a device of the character described, the combination with a filler tank having water supplied thereto at a predetermined pressure, of a valve for controlling the ad-- mission of gas to said tank to counter-balance the water pressure, a pressure operated means for opening said valve, means oper ated by the variation of the level of the liquid in said tank for balancing the pressure on said pressure operated means to render the same ineii'ective, a second pressure operated means for closing said valve when the valve opening means is rendered inefiective' and means for permitting the pressure on said valve opening means to .become unbalanced.

12. In a deviceof the character described, the combination with a filler tank having water supplied thereto under predetermined pressure, of a valve for controlling the admission of gas to said tank to counter-balance said water pressure, a diaphragm having pressure admitted on one side for open-.

ing said valve, a valve controlled by the level of the water in said tank for admitting pressure to the opposite side of said diaphragm for balancing the opening pressure and a second pressure operated diaphragm for closing said first mentioned valve when the pressure on the two sides of the first men tioned diaphragm is balanced. V

13. Ina device ofthe character described, the combination with a filler tank having water supplied thereto under a predetermined pressure, of a valve for controlling the admission of gas to said tank to counter-balance the water pressure,.a diaphragm having a pres sure admitted on one side for opening said valve, a valve controlled by the level of the water in said tank for admitting pressure to the opposite side of said diaphragm for balancing the opening pressure thereof, a secondpressure operated diaphragm for closing. said first mentioned valve when the pressures of the two sides of the first diaphragm balance, and a valve for permitting the reduction of said balancing pressure.

14. In a device of the character decribed, the combination with a filling tank having water admitted thereto under a predetermined pressure, of a valve controlling the admission of gas to said tank to balance said water pressure, a diaphragm for opening said valve and a diaphragm for closing said valve of smaller area than the opening diaphragm, said diaphragms being subjected to the same operating pressure and means controlledby the level of the water in said tank for admitting counterebalancing pressure on the opposite side of said opening diaphragm to permit said closing diaphragm to operate.

15. In a device of the character'described, the combination with a filling tank having water admitted thereto under a predetermined. pressure,of avalve for controlling the admission of gas to said tank to balance said water pressure,a diaphragm for opening said valve and a diaphragm for closing said valve of smaller area than the opening diaphragm, said diaphragms being subjected to the same operating pressure, means controlled by the level of the Water in said tank for admitting a counter-balancing pressure on the opposite side of said opening diaphragm to permit said closing diaphragm to operate and a valve for permitting the reduction of said'counter-balancing pressure.

Signed at Chicago in the county of Cook and State of Illinois this 26 day of July, A. D. 1928.

JAMES KAN-TOR. 

